Entering the Kingdom

Matthew 7:13-23, 13-14: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it."

21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"

INTRODUCTION:

We have spoken in this brief series about the Sermon on the Mount as "an inaugural" message for the Church, the kingdom of heaven on earth. We have spoken of its spirit, and of its heroes. We have looked at its values, and priorities; and have acknowledged its righteous laws.

But toward the close of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about entering the kingdom of God. He begins to speak of a narrow gate, a disciplined way. And He says "Not everyone that calls me 'Lord Lord' is going to get in! It is sobering!

But let me ask you:

  1. How did YOU enter the kingdom? [We all came in the same way— and we each one came in a different way!]

    And let me ask you perhaps an even tougher one:

  2. How would you give instruction to someone else who wished to enter the kingdom of heaven? [Even though we all are individuals, there are certain 'absolutes' that apply to Christ's kingdom:]

I. THE KINGDOM IS ENTERED ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST'S TERMS

There will always be people saying: Go there!" "Do this!" "Believe our way!"

But the kingdom is not any one man or one group's monopoly. Should we do this? Do we have to do that? Don't ask MAN— be open- - ask God! OBEY HIM!

Jesus reveals God's terms to each of us! He is perfectly capable of making us KNOW we have been dealt with personally! The Holy Spirit makes it seem that the truth is written just TO us, just FOR us!

Jesus confronts us (lovingly) where we are! Sooner or later we need to deal with the sin question. Jesus never compromises with sin. Sooner or later we need to identify with the visible kingdom and be baptized. Sooner or later we get our values established, and start to grow in grace. [He spoke to the woman at the well about her five husbands. He saw the rich young ruler walk away sorrowful because he loved his money more than eternal life. He called Zaccheus down from his sycamore tree and went home with him, a despised tax gatherer, when no one else would have anything to do with him. Jesus always deals with us where we are!] BUT WE DON'T TELL JESUS HOW WE SHALL COME, OR WHAT OUR TERMS WILL BE! THE TERMS ARE ALWAYS "YOU FOLLOW ME!" I'll do the leading!

II. THE KINGDOM IS ENTERED BY FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF

It takes that strange thing we call FAITH to enter Christ's kingdom!

Faith always has the element of volition; of willingness to obey. We are not saved by doing; but it isn't faith unless there is more than idle curiosity; unless and until

In Luke 17 when the Pharisees asked when the kingdom of God should come— Jesus said: "YOU can't see it— you can't observe it- - but the kingdom of God is already HERE! The kingdom is where Jesus is!

But these are just empty theological terms apart from Jesus. Jesus is our righteousness! Jesus is our regeneration! Jesus redeems us from being alone in this universe, lost in space! The call is not "Come and learn your way INTO the kingdom!" The call is "COME UNTO ME!"

III. WE ENTER THE KINGDOM IS TO SERVE HIS PURPOSE! AND IT IS THE ONLY WAY OF SAFETY ... HE IS JUST !

Make no mistake! Storms are coming! As He comes to the close of the inaugural message Jesus speaks of gathering storms! Every Sunday School child has learned "The wise man built his house upon the rock!" But every grown up Sunday School child has known the rains coming down, and the floods coming up!

Jesus spoke of rains and floods. And in later conversations about the kingdom Jesus referred explicitly to Noah, and again to Lot.

He made it plain that the Old Testament stories could be used as powerful warnings about the need to prepare for judgment! The only way of safety is knowing Him, and trusting Him personally!

So, we can speak profitably about "justification" and "adoption" and "regeneration," but still the 'bottom line' of salvation is to know Jesus Christ.

When we meet Him face to face He will not first be concerned with what we KNOW, or even what we have ACCOMPLISHED! But His acceptance will be whether or not we have been occupied with the Father's will. And His rejection, seen here in His won words, is on the basis:"I never KNEW YOU!"

Conclusion:

At the beginning I asked two questions. I asked "How did you enter the kingdom?"

Jesus said the days would be evil— but He reminds us that Noah was saved because he believed!; and Lot was snatched from Sodom because he was RIGHT with God!

It is important that we know that WE are in God's righteous kingdom! And we can know!

Have you answered that question? If you do not have a clear- cut answer, you can enter the kingdom if you answer the call of Jesus to come to HIM. Where Jesus is, there is the kingdom! If He calls you, you may enter the kingdom now.

I would like to give an opportunity for YOU to enter Christ's kingdom, receive His salvation, join HIS church!

Jesus says: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it."

May we PRAY?

#227 Jesus I Come